Lead Data Engineer in Manchester

CAVU

Summary

Lead Data Engineer

Hybrid (2 days per week in the office)

Permanent

About CAVU

For airports, for partners, for people. We are Cavu.

At Cavu, our purpose is to find new and better ways to make airport travel seamless and enjoyable for everybody — from the smallest ideas to the biggest transformations. Every day is an opportunity to create better travel experiences.

From our revenue-accelerating single-platform technology, Propel, through to our world‑class hospitality venues including 1903 and Escape Lounges, our solutions make travel smoother for passengers and more profitable for our clients and partners.

We know that to bring your best ideas, you need the space to think, the support to grow, and the freedom to be your authentic self. Whether you're working from our offices, from home, in our lounges, or on the road, we provide an environment where you can create, innovate, and help transform airport travel.

Together, we can reach new heights. Together, we are Cavu.

The role

We're looking for an experienced Lead Data Engineer to play a key role in shaping and evolving Cavu's data platform, enabling data-driven decision making across our products and business.

Leading a small team of Data Engineers, you'll combine hands‑on technical expertise with technical leadership, mentoring colleagues while designing and delivering scalable data solutions that support analytics, machine learning and real‑time reporting.

Working closely with Data Scientists, Analysts and stakeholders across Technology and the wider business, you'll develop modern cloud‑based data platforms, build robust ETL pipelines and champion best practice in data engineering, governance and architecture.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team building a globally unique platform using modern technologies, where you'll have genuine influence over technical direction and help solve complex commercial and customer challenges.

Key Responsiblities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Data Engineers, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture.
• Design, build and maintain scalable data pipelines and ETL processes to support business‑critical data solutions.
• Partner with Data Scientists, Analysts and business stakeholders to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Drive data quality by implementing validation, monitoring and governance best practice.
• Optimise the performance of databases, data warehouses and data lakes to support growing business demands.
• Evaluate and implement modern data technologies, tools and frameworks to enhance data processing and analytics capabilities.
• Define and promote data governance, privacy and security standards across the data platform.
• Work closely with Infrastructure and Operations teams to deploy, maintain and support cloud‑based data solutions.
• Provide technical expertise when troubleshooting complex data issues and continuously improve engineering standards across the team.

What we need from you

• Previous experience as a Lead or Senior Data Engineer, with experience leading engineering projects or mentoring technical teams.
• Strong experience designing, building and maintaining ETL pipelines, data warehouses and scalable data platforms.
• Expert Python and SQL skills, with experience working with large datasets and distributed systems.
• Hands‑on experience with AWS services, including Redshift, Lambda, EC2, Kinesis and Batch.
• Experience working with relational and NoSQL databases, alongside strong data modelling skills.
• A solid understanding of data governance, data quality and data security principles.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate commercial requirements into technical solutions.
• A naturally curious, collaborative mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and modern data engineering practices.

What is in it for you

• 25 days holiday, increasing with service (up to 28)
• Option to buy up to 10 extra days + 4 flexible bank holidays
• 10% company pension
• Annual bonus scheme
• On‑site gym
• MediCash scheme
• A range of flexible benefits and discounts, including up to 50% off Cavu products such as Escape Lounges and Airport Parking
• Rail and retail discounts
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Access to health & wellbeing events, ID&E activities and learning opportunities
• Formal and informal development options, including mentoring programmes and learning grants
• Enhanced parental leave (T&Cs apply)

Equal Opportunties and Reasonable Adjustments

We're building something brilliant at Cavu: a diverse team of people who reflect the global customer base we serve. We're proudly part of MAG, and together we're on a mission to be number one in our industries — and that takes talent in all its forms.

Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you, even if you don't think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know — we're committed to helping you perform at your best. Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that journey, including Women's Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the Cavu Global ID&E Affinity Group

CAVU